JerryRigEverything Puts LG V30 & Pixel 2 To The Test

JerryRigEverything aka Zack is known for testing the durability of smartphones by putting them under his array of tests which include scratching, burning and bending the smartphone. Zack recently put the LG V30 and the Pixel 2 to the test. Let's find out how each of them performed.

As always, Zack begins with the scratch test. The scratch test involves Mohs picks of hardness which Zack uses to determine how well the screen is resistant to scratches. Scratches can be a result of phone drops or coins and keys rubbing with the screen in the pocket. The V30's Gorilla Glass 5 backed display scores a six on the scratch test which is in par with other flagships like the Galaxy S8 and the iPhone 8. The front facing camera and navigation buttons are under the hood of the same Gorilla Glass 5 and are hence well protected from scratches. Since the V30 supports wireless charging, it has a glass back which should be as resistant to scratches as the screen. The dual camera setup and flash are also covered by glass with the camera setup having a metal rim around it for further protection. The sides of the phone, including the buttons, are made of an aluminium alloy and given the high tensile strength of such alloys, the buttons and the sides of the phone should hold up well against scratches. (Note: Pure aluminium has lesser tensile strength than its alloys. We confirmed that the V30 is made of aluminium alloys, not the pure metal.)

One thing that didn't do well in JerryRigEverything's scratch test was the fingerprint scanner. After it was heavily scratched, the fingerprint scanner failed to recognize registered fingerprints. The V30's OLED screen lasted ten seconds under the burn test post which the pixels went white and didn't recover. The bend test is considered to be the ultimate test of durability and V30 passed it with flying colors. Although the V30 did flex a bit during the bend test, it didn't break. The V30 therefore passes JerryRigEverything's test.

As opposed to the V30, the Pixel 2 didn't perform well in Zack's tests. In Zack's words, "It might feel as though I'm roasting the Pixel during this video, and you're right, they're getting a little burned at the moment." To start with the criticism, the Pixel 2 is covered by a hybrid coating which Google claims are "chip resistant, but may chip if the phone is dropped. Some materials, such as leather or denim, may transfer color to Clearly White, Kinda Blue, and Black & White phones." Google goes on to mention that "this color transfer may be cleaned with ordinary household cleaners, see website for more details." The hybrid coating could easily be scraped off my JerryRigEverything's blades and revealed metal underneath. The volume buttons are made of metal but the colored power key is made off plastic. As we saw in the case of the V30, the Pixel 2's fingerprint scanner also failed to recognize registered fingerprints after it was heavily scratched. The front and rear facing cameras are covered by glass while the flash is covered by plastic.

The Pixel 2's AMOLED screen lasted 15 seconds under the burn test after which the pixels tuned white and did not recover. In the bend test, the Pixel 2 almost split along it's antenna line. Zack stated that it was this same design that caused the Nexus 6P to snap into two in his earlier test. Zack goes on to mention that "a case or skin is mandatory" for the Pixel 2 to avoid issues with color transfers and unwanted bending of the phone.

Krittin Kalra is a 20 year old Android freak. Striving for passions, chasing down his dreams and living a life without regrets is his sole mantra. A bit moody, he also does custom ROM reviews for AndroGuider. Currently pursuing his B.Tech, he aspires to follow his heart.